When the GMC Syclone debuted for 1991, it was certainly a curious case. It offered the usability of a pickup truck, could be taken off the beaten path if desired and added a healthy dose of performance. You could say a whopping dose of performance, actually.
It featured a Mitsubishi-sourced turbocharger attached to the 4.3-liter V6 engine. But, GMC also took to engineering unique pistons, main caps, head gaskets, intake manifolds, fuel system, exhaust manifolds and more. All of this was enough to make it quicker than a Ferrari 348ts. Yes, a pickup truck was quicker than a Ferrari.
In time, a cult classic was born, and only 2,995 were produced.
Fast-forward to present day and we are witnessing a pickup truck explosion in the market, and we thought it would be an excellent time for GMC to rock us like a hurricane with a new Syclone.
We had our creative mastermind extraordinaire, RM Design, conjure up a modern-day GMC Syclone based on the current 2017 GMC Canyon. This meant hunkering the Syclone down for a more menacing and performance-oriented stance.
We’ve added a power bulge to the hood for the potent powertrain sitting underneath; a twin-turbo V6 engine mated to a quick-shifting 10-speed automatic sounds like it could do the trick.
The front end has been muted for the traditional sleeper look, ensuring the faces of many will be in awe-struck upon pulling away from a stoplight in speed unassociated with pickups. We’ve even updated the signature blade wheels from the Syclone of yesteryear and, of course, Syclone is spelled out in bright, red font on the side.
The Syclone name will likely remain a thing of the past, but that won’t stop us from dreaming of a proper performance pickup.
Comments
Well it is a neat idea but I would not put much stock in this.
We have yet to even get a ZQ8 suspension yet.
If they ever make this, I will be first in line.
Revive that truck along with the Chevrolet impala ss and buick grand national.
I like the truck! It would be my choice.
Those are Chevy Sonic wheels. lol
I’ve found that it does’nt much matter where the wheels came from. They either look good or not worth talking about. In this case as I said; they look very nice.
I’d settle for just the ZQ8 suspension. The whole truck would be nice, too.
I have been considering this today.
Here is the problem. How many could they sell and at what price?
If you make this too expensive it could end up with only 2995 units again. That is not a very good number and there is little money on the bone unless you get to a stupid price than then you have to discount it to move it.
My thought is this, what is the best selling type of vehicle on the market. A cross over.
How about a Acadia that is done right with full on suspension. Turbo V6 from a Cadillac V Sport. And trimmed in the proper colors and seats. If you have to relive the past call it Typhoon for what it is worth.
The truck I would go the ZQ8 route and not get crazy with it. Keep it RWD and make all engines optional. This way like the past ZQ8 you will sell many more and make more money. The ZQ8 was popular because people could price it to where they could afford and they could build them up what ever way they wanted. It was a good blank canvas that gave builders a foundation to make it what they wanted at a price most could afford.
I loved my Sonoma ZQ8 and chose it over the Syclone that was sitting on the dealer lot used. It was tempting at the used price but I still had no regrets. The Sonoma ZQ8 served me well for over 100K miles and I still sold it for top dollar and it is still on the road today nearly 19 years later. The Camaro like handling was great.
Don’t get me wrong I love the Syclone but to do it right would not be cheap and based on the past it just did not produce the numbers a company would need to see to bring it to market. Now a Acadia SUV might find enough buyers in today’s market.
These are just things to consider that companies have to look at. Trucks like the Raptor are already set up for a TT turbo and 4×4 so it is a less added cost vs a Canyon that has no TT option and would need a new AWD system to make it work. The cost and return on investment may be a big issues. Just saying just do it is not an option for the people who have to make money at GM and are held accountable for it.
Scott you are right. This is awesome dreaming but how many of us would buy one? I know for a fact no matter how special it is im not gonna pay 55K for a mid size truck. I mean the diesel canyons are sitting on lots right now for 44k! The beauty of the ZQ8 RPO code was that you could pick that option and it wouldn’t force you into all the other bells and whistles or up you to another trim package. If they could do something like that i would be interested. I mean even if the 4 banger is slow, wouldnt it be cool to have a 6 speed manual base truck with the ZQ8 suspension just like the old days.
My first thought is I’d want a regular cab only and a 4.3L based engine, and I realize it won’t happen. The Syclone and Typhoon’s short wheelbase quickens the steering and keeps off dead weight. A new ZQ8 option is more prudent and I think the Acadia idea works well as a Denali. But I think the market for this type of vehicle went to the WRX and used awd smaller BMWs.
In the last Avista article someone recalled the Lutz strategy. In my version the new Typhoon ( I also still like the Bravada name) turns out like the new Stelvio. Something that’s more than a hot hatch and sharing with the Avista (or GTO or Cutlass :).
..ah just dreaming my friend, I seriously doubt a division of GM run by a female would ever consider building such a vehicle!!!! Heck, GM has not even learned/admitted its original blunder in failing to continue to produce the original Syclone. Ford is eating GM’s lunch in the performance arena (I am a lifelong GMer, but I am growing weary of GM’s continued absence in the performance arena).
First a female leader has nothing to do with this.
Companies build cats and trucks to make money men or women. You realize the Camaro gen 5-6 have been over seen by Cheryl Pilture.
The original blunder as you call it was the fact they did not make money on this for the price they charged and the few they sold.
As for Ford the only place they hold an advantage on GM is the Raptor and the reality is it is not a game changer in volume or profits. GM has just offered the ZR2 and Ford has no answer for it. The c8 is coming and we have the c7,CTSV, CTS V sport, ATSV, Camaro, Ford has only some fwd based and cars that while cool are over priced for what you get.
Cool cars are fun but profit come first.
The harsh truth is the dull boring fed sedan is what pays the bills.
Don’t forget that female you speak of drives a Corvette. With a seven speed manual transmission.
That’s what I’m talking about!! Thank you for creating this rendering! Maybe…just maybe, GM is listening. Please give us something like this!!!! Its so long overdue!
Hell, I’d be happy with just the ZQ8 suspension.
Just give me a ECSB body, highest trim level, 3.6 V-6, 6 spd manual, LSD rear, and a ZQ8 suspension package. Didn’t think that was too much to ask for.
a) it’s cool, and …
b) it’s from GM, therefore …
c) it’ll never happen.
But you can find one, parked next to an Elmiraj, and the rest of the good ideas GM chose not to pursue.
I have it on good authority PAS has been commissioned to build a vehicle for GM. Its not yet known who from PAS or what vehicle being they have been gone for 20 years lol. But something ie in the works. Much more likely a new GN/GNX. We syty guys do have quite a cult following but im not sure its enough to make a new syclone or typhoon. And this concept is hideous. Nothing like the Vaderesque syty of yesteryear. Another rendering is much nicer. Not sure who the rendering belongs too.
Doug is 100% right. Way more interest in how many vehicles they can fit a useless third row seat in and too many annoying safety alerts to complicate operating systems. Mary B is looking at building vehicles from a soccer mom perspective. We must begin looking at other manufacturers for innovative performance vehicles. Corvettes and Camaros alone, doesn’t cut it. GM is reaching a very limited market with just the two, two door sports cars. Camaros for the youth and Corvettes for people with strong incomes, trying to find their youth. We need performance trucks and suvs that can appeal to a much broader market of buyers. We are already losing the Chevy SS and CTS-Vs and ATS-Vs are out of the price range for many.
I think people are missing a solid opportunity. So, what Ms. Barra is a gearhead. Let the cultural/political climate sink in (speaking about U.S.A.). Buick can aim to offer all the virtue-signaling options (hybrids, pzev, awd, no dead animal interior, safety tech) in the popular form-factors, with lots of services (current 4G, more oil changes, snow tire rotations). Ms. Barra can then put herself into some commercials highlighting this stuff – cut together some sort of Undercover Boss thing where she works a salesman job and then reveals she’s the CEO.
The bad thing about performance cars is they’ll always want you to pay up for it. A powertrain upgrade can add so much character for any vehicle.
I don’t know. The comment section here just sparked ideas. Throwing some out there.
“It offered the usability of a pickup truck, could be taken off the beaten path if desired and added a healthy dose of performance.”
This really wasn’t true. The Syclone had a very limited payload capacity, lest you bust the leaf springs (a good friend did this to his Typhoon more than once). If memory serves, I think the bed couldn’t be loaded with more than 500 lbs. Nonsense for a pickup. In addition, you really couldn’t take them off-road without risking damaging (again) the suspension or the hunkered down effects.
All that said, I still loved it and have told GM I would be in line the minute they brought it back (currently driving a 2016 Canyon).
I think it’s pretty hilarious that the garbage-looking truck from SVE looks exactly like this one minus rims. Engine swap and custom interior and they want 40k over standard price.
L. O. FREAKING L.
$70K for that travesty is a joke. With $70k, I’d rather buy a REAL, 1991 GMC Syclone in immaculate condition for $25k, then take the remaining $45k and build the truck to run circles around that trash by SVE.
Not sure what I’d do with the remaining $20k. Maybe go buy a ’92 & ’93 GMC Typhoon to complete the collection. You can find exceptional trucks at $10k